Multistrada 1200S Touring - First Impressions and Ride Photos

I was able to take a slightly more extended ride on the new bike tonight. It is SO COOL!

I wrote up a bunch of first impression observations on my blog, and posted up a bunch of ride photos. The ride was a nice loop we like to do after work sometimes, that covers about 50-60 miles from Boise to Emmett, to Horseshoe Bend and back. There's a little bit of everything along the way, which gave me a chance to get a nice overview of the bike's capabilities.

The Latebraker.com blog

Lots more pics on the blog post, but here are a couple:

Great review! Thanks for posting that up.

Nice. I want to read more after you break-in the engine. Also, regarding the rear stand and your foot position, was it only a problem when you moved your foot back? Will it be an issue when you get on the ball of your foot during an aggressive turn?

The area sure looks nice for riding this time of year... enjoy!

Thanks. The area will be a lot prettier when it starts turning more green, but it won't be long!

We'll have to see on that foot position issue. I don't think it'll be too bad, because I can always raise my heel a bit over the top of the center stand if I was turning that aggressively. I also want to get a better feel for these tires before pushing too much. They definitely have more of a street bias, but they certainly aren't trackday tires.

Up to nearly 400 miles on it now. After crappy weather and travel the last couple of weeks, I was able to take about a 100 mile ride on it earlier today. It was supposed to be 60 degrees here, so I figured I could head up toward the mountains after church. Unfortunately, it was still pretty cool at that time of day, and didn't get sunny and nice until later in the day.

The further I climbed, the colder it got. I was okay until it got to be around 40 degrees, then I decided it was time to turn around, get back home and thaw out. The heated grips are wonderful, and really helpful, but my gloves aren't that warm (and my fingers seem to get cold easily anyway).

Still, a fun ride, and the bike is brilliant. It seems to do everything really well. Still in the break-in period. I can't wait to get through that, so I can start really putting it through its paces.

Whipper it is like how I felt when I got the Buell. There is nothing these High Torque, Dual Sports can't do. They are super tall and the Ergos are crazy comfortable. They go through the twisties better then most bikes I have ever known, but when you hit the deep gravel they travel like nothing else.

I laugh like crazy when I climb on the thing, it is so much fun. Giovanni my 6 year old went out and road this weekend on it for about an hour and he loved every moment. Probably a little illegal, being he can not reach the pegs, but he could not get enough and wanted me to go faster. He laughed when I put the damn thing on one wheel...

I'm very content leaving this bike stock, but man this sounds good:

hahaha, agreed.

But seriously, do it if nothing more than for aesthetics. That video needs more side shots.

Side view

So when are you making the tip to P-town to get it put on?

Did the longest ride yet today on the Multi. Weather was really nice this afternoon - right around 60 degrees and beautifully sunny. I decided to do one of our regional favorites - the "Lowman Loop," which is 150 miles of twisty goodness through the mountains nearby, starting in Boise, north to Banks, east to Lowman, over the summit (6,000 feet plus) to Idaho City, then back to Boise. About 3-4 hours normally.

First stop was just below Banks, along the Payette River, at one of my favorite picture spots. Had to shoot quickly as it's not the safest place to park and shoot photos! Oh well, we do what we have to do for art.


Next stops were between Garden Valley and Lowman, where there are deep, dramatic canyons down to the Payette River along the highway. There was virtually no one along this stretch, which is pretty unusual.


Next I saw a waterfall along the road, which I've never seen along this stretch before. I guess I've usually ridden it too late in the season.


As I climbed over the mountain toward Idaho City, the terrain grew more and more white. Although temps dropped into the low 40's, it didn't feel cold at all, mostly because of the bright sunshine, and the fact that I was wearing warm gear, and stopping a lot for photos.


As I got closer to Idaho City, I saw this cool little stream alongside the road, which snaked its way through the pine trees.


Between Idaho City and Boise is a popular area for summer boating and PWC's - Lucky Peak Reservoir and Arrowrock Reservoir.


The bike continues to make me really happy. Definitely the most comfortable bike I've ridden over that sort of distance. I need to get a Throttlemeister or equivalent for the longer stretches of road, but that's about it. As you can see, I found a nice little tail bag where I can put my camera and other stuff.

Getting closer to the end of the first stage of break-in. I can't wait until I can really wind this baby up!

I almost ran out of fuel approaching Idaho City. I figured I had plenty of fuel to make it there, but the computer showed just 9 miles of range remaining when I got there, and it took almost 5 gallons to fill it up.

Passed a police officer going the other way between Idaho City and Boise, when I was doing about 57 in a 45. He flipped on his red and blue lights, but just to give me a warning (thankfully!). I backed it down to 54.

Can't wait for some even longer rides as the weather keeps improving!

As usual you are torturing me. Just slowly tightening the thumb screws on my poor homesick thumbs. Awesome pics of some of my favorite places.

How big is the tank? I'm a little surprised by the range.

:o Sorry about that!

Capacity is 5.3 gallons, and so far the fuel consumption has been quite reasonable (probably mostly due to break-in rev limits).

A few more:

So how far can you comfortably go on a tank?

Oh, this one. Lol

Seems like 200+.

Took a quick ride up the hill yesterday, to the Bogus Basin ski resort, 16 miles above Boise. Stopped along the way for a pic or two:

Lots of melting snow and sand in the road toward the top. Got my baby quite dirty! She had to have her first water bath after I got home. Always been just the polish before this.

Also took my first pillion for a brief ride yesterday. Mrs Whip has a lady that helps her out with the horses, and she really wanted to go for a ride. I gave her a helmet and some gloves to use, and up the street we went. She'd ridden as a passenger years before, but I wanted to make sure she knew that she should lean with me through the turns. There was a bit of a language barrier, but she seemed to understand. As we approached every corner, I'd feel her lean hard into the turn, even before I did! Oh well, she did fine, and was jumping up and down with excitement when we got back. One of these days I'll talk Mrs Whip into going along with me, once it warms up a little more. For some reason she thinks I'm going to do a wheelie and make her fall off.